The 2005 Cards have some work to do to match the success of the '04 team, but with Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder atop the rotation and David Eckstein leading off, this club may be better suited to celebrate a World Series title. Full story >

The Padres have faced the Cards in an elimination game before, when they were swept in the 1996 NLDS. Hosting Game 3 on Saturday, Woody Williams and the Friars hope for a better fate, while Matt Morris and the Redbirds go for the sweep. Full story >

The Cards can play a lot of different kinds of ball, all of it good. On Thursday, they went with small ball and executed it to perfection. The Padres couldn't, which is a big reason why, MLB.com's John Schlegel writes, they're on the brink of elimination in the NLDS. More >

Although Padres ace Jake Peavy won't be facing the Cards in either of the next two games -- and likely not again this series -- his rib-cage injury was the topic du jour of Wednesday's NLDS off-day in St. Louis. Full story >

It was a case of déjà vu all over again at Busch Stadium in the postseason opener for 2005, which was good news for the Cardinals and bad news for their visitors from the National League West. Full story >

No team in baseball won more games than the Cardinals. Thirteen teams in baseball won more games than the Padres. But if you think we're looking at a mismatch heading into the National League Division Series, Tony La Russa says you'd better think again. Full story >